Last month I wrote about returning to writing simply for the love of it and I'm happy to be able to say I have been able to do just that. I've been working on a sequel to Polar Night and Polar Day and I have been taking it slowly and enjoying the process. I'm excited about the story and it's been fun to delve back into Alaska as a setting. I am totally enchanted by that place and I hope that I can visit there one of these days.

The Ghost Town of Kennecott, Alaska (WIP setting)

In the spirit of keeping things simple, I've decided not to try and start up a new blog as I had planned to do with my All in For Animals site. It was a mistake to try something new when I was already feeling sluggish in terms of writing and blogging. I don't have the energy to devote to another site so I am letting that go for now. If I have any fun animal things to write about I plan to just do so here as I have in the past.

I've decided to only set two goals for myself for the rest of 2017. I want to finish my WIP, titled A Killing in Kennecott, and I want to complete the running training program I've been doing for the past month or so. I am enjoying it and the exercise is good for me both physically and mentally.

I've learned that writing to-do lists and setting weekly or monthly goals or daily word count challenges doesn't work for me at this time in my life and they are demoralizing rather than motivating. So for now I'm simply going to enjoy the writing and enjoy the running and try not to stress about either one.

My first A to Z badge (warm fuzzies!)

To all working on the A-Z Challenge, good luck and enjoy!! Even though I'm not taking part this year I still get the warm fuzzies about the challenge each year at this time. Taking part in my first challenge in 2011 was the best blogging decision I've ever made and I will always be grateful to those who have made this great event possible through the years.

YAY for you! A sequel, getting in shape, and keeping things simple. That is the WAY TO GO! I just my take your advice. Driving myself crazy with guilt, frustration, and anxiety about EVERYTHING is certainly not the way to live life.

So excited about you sequel. Looking forward to it. Let me know if you need any help later on with blurbs or cover art. I just created Yolanda Renee's cover for her new book ,THE SNOWMAN and I just finished the covers for her Steven Quaid novels. Such fun! At least this way I feel like I am contributing something to the writing world.

Sounds like you're making wise decisions for yourself, Julie. Making choices is so hard sometimes, but I've learned I need to get clear about my priorities and then make choices accordingly, not the other way around. Good luck!

Good decision there. I'm with you. One blog is enough! A very smart and successful man was asked how he did all the important things in his life, especially as he aged and his energy decreased. He responded, "I do only the most important things, and let everything else go."

So pleased you feel inspiried, Julie. And don't worry about changing things until your ready. I adore your picture of the Alaskan ghost town. I'm learning a lot about Alaska by reading Yolanda's novels as well as her A to Z posts this month. I'm starting to love the place too :)Have a lovely week.

So glad to hear that your inspiration has returned, and I think it is very clever that you didn't start another website. It would have put you under pressure and taken your attention away from you really wanted to do. Wishing you all the best. Shalom aleichem,Pat

Good for you for knowing that trying to start another site would be too much and it'd be better to let it go. I'm like you, word counts and deadlines don't work for me. I write better when the mood strikes and I can run with it. Best of luck.

We all have to find what works best. I've been trying to figure out how to simplify what I want to do so it's less stressful. I haven't figured out what will work for me yet, but I'm heading toward an idea to try out.

I want to visit Alaska, too. Hubs watches a lot of Alaska-themed shows, so I'm inundated with ideas of what I want to do if I visit. I think you're being wise not to start up a new blog. Conserve your energy. Why reinvent the wheel? Do what you can and what feels good/right for you.

I'm totally with you on your decision to take it easy and enjoy your life. Life goes by too quickly, and there's no reason to make things harder on yourself. (I just decided I'll release my Alaskan book in October rather than May. Who needs the stress?) Love you & come back to Celebrate when you can!

Yes! Simplifying goals has had to happen for me, too. I really can't do everything I had set in front of me at the beginning of the year so I'm focused on just three goals a month/year. Happy Writing, Julie!

Alaska is such a beautiful setting and I'm sure that your next book is going to be another hit! Maybe you can go on an Alaskan cruise, as some of the cruise ships might have special offers. I've heard that it's a dream vacation. We met during the 2011 A to Z and I also got the "warm fuzzies" from my first time.

I think you are wonderful for returning to your writing and finding the joy in it again, Julie. It is so hard to do, but you did it, amazing lady;) I get what you mean by feeling sluggish when it comes to blogging. I'm there too. Always do what's is right for you. Cheering for you, Julie!

I totally understand about the goal-setting being demoralizing sometimes. I need to set daily goals right now or I am going to do absolutely nothing. I let my house go to get some writing goals done, and now I'm feeling buried by the laundry. Balance is important.

That's so hard, right? I keep thinking of all these projects I want to do and then feel like I have no time/motivation to do any of them. I'm in the process of setting up an order now so I can focus on one thing at a time.

Baby Moo's Great Escape

Baby Moo Goes to Hollywood

About Me

Author of the Polar Night series and The Ghosts of Aquinnah. My first children's book, Baby Moo's Great Escape, is now available! When not writing fiction, I love to write about animals and animal-related issues.